Gemini can now recognize PDF files appearing on smartphone screens

Google is working to integrate its Gemini AI chatbot into as many productivity tools as possible. The latest is the Files by Google app, which will now automatically trigger Gemini analytics when you open a PDF document.

The feature, first shared on Reddit's r/Android community, is now available for devices running Android 15. Digital Trends tested it on a Pixel 9 running the stable version of Android 15 and Google's latest file manager app.

Gemini can now recognize PDF files appearing on smartphone screens Picture 1

If you open a PDF in the Files app and activate Gemini with a swipe or power button shortcut, the chat interface will display an 'Ask about this PDF' notification chip right above it.

You just need to tap on this chip, the PDF file will be integrated into the Gemini chatbot, ready for processing by the AI ​​model. Then, you just need to type in a question, and Gemini will respond in natural language after analyzing the PDF content.

Gemini can now recognize PDF files appearing on smartphone screens Picture 2

This is one of the most elegant Gemini integrations, saving users the hassle of bringing PDFs into other standalone AI applications, including Gemini's mobile app.

If this feature isn't available on your Files app yet, there's another way to experience it, just:

1. Open the Gemini app.
2. Tap the plus icon in the Ask Gemini chat bubble.
3. Attach the required PDF file.

Users can select PDF files directly from internal storage or upload directly from Google Drive. Thanks to its multimodal capabilities, the Gemini chatbot can also access and understand media content from the device's photo library.

Gemini can now recognize PDF files appearing on smartphone screens Picture 3

However, if you don't want to pay, a free option worth considering is Google's NotebookLM, which can analyze information from files, URLs, and even YouTube videos.

Marvin Fry

Update 22 December 2024